Jillian Kesner-Graver

Jillian Kesner-Graver (August 9, 1949 – December 5, 2007), credited onscreen as Jillian Kesner, was an American actress and historian who worked with her husband, Gary Graver, to preserve the work and legacy of director Orson Welles. She was best known as an actress for playing Fonzie's girlfriend, Lorraine, on a 1977 episode of Happy Days.

Jillian Kesner-Graver
Jillian Kesner with Michael Cavanaugh filming Inferno in 1996
Born
Jillian Kesner

August 9, 1949
Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
DiedDecember 5, 2007(2007-12-05) (aged 58)
Irvine, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actress, film historian
Years active1976–2006
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1981; died 2006)​

Early life

Kesner-Graver was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. Her father was in the United States Navy and she spent much of her childhood in Denver, Colorado. She first moved to Los Angeles in 1959, where she worked as a model before getting into television and movie acting.[1]

Career

Kesner-Graver was best known for playing Fonzie's girlfriend, Lorraine, on Happy Days. She appeared in a number of "B-rated" films throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Her credits included Raw Force, Starhops and Beverly Hills Vamp. She developed a following among fans of B-level action films.

She appeared on a number of television shows, including Three's Company, The Rockford Files and Mork & Mindy. She met her husband, director and cinematographer, Gary Graver, on the set of the film The Student Body in 1976.

Death

Jillian Kesner-Graver died on December 5, 2007, in Irvine, California of complications from a staph infection, which she contracted after having been diagnosed with leukemia. She was 58 years old.[1]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1976The Student BodyCarrie
1978StarhopsAngel
1980Ang agila at ang falcon(English: The Eagle and The Falcon)
1981FirecrackerSusanne Carteraka Naked Fist in Australia
1982Raw ForceCookie Winchellaka Kung Fu Cannibals
Trick or TreatsAndrea
1987Moon in ScorpioClaire
Evil TownDorothy
1989JadedSara
Beverly Hills VampClaudia
1992Roots of EvilBrenda
1997Operation Cobra Jasmineaka Inferno

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1975S.W.A.T.Miss CaliforniaEpisode: "The Steel-Plated Security Blanket"
1976The Blue KnightLady in swimsuitEpisode: "Bullseye"
Happy DaysPatty PetrolungaEpisode: "Fonzie the Superstar"
1977The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesPaula ClarkEpisode: "Mystery of the Solid Gold Kicker"
Happy DaysLorraineEpisode: "Marion Rebels"
1979Co-ed FeverMelbaMain cast
The Rockford FilesLily ShowalterEpisode: "No Fault Affair"
The RopersLinda Graham2 episodes
1981Three's CompanyThe sisterEpisode: "The Not-So-Great Imposter"
1982Mork & MindyJudiEpisode: "Metamorphosis - The TV Show"
1983T.J. HookerCrystalEpisode: "A Child Is Missing"
1996Subliminal SeductionCherlTV movie

References
  1. "Actress Jillian Kesner-Graver dies". Variety. September 19, 2007. Retrieved August 4, 2015.


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